The Portland Timbers have totaled two goals in two matches, with new Argentine forward Gaston Fernandez summoning the equalizer in both games. That has left the Timbers without a win and with two points as they travel to Colorado to take on the Rapids at 3 p.m. Saturday for a match that could be snowy.

As the Timbers continue to work out the kinks of the early season, we asked beat reporter Jamie Goldberg and community bloggers Kip Kesgard and Rick Curwen to answer a handful of questions.

1. What's the most positive trend you've seen in the first two matches?

Goldberg: The Timbers have had a lot of chances in the first two games. They had 15 shots on goal against Philadelphia and 21 against Chicago. Against Chicago, the Timbers had numerous chances to score and open shots that they should have been able to convert. It's a good sign that they are getting these openings, and as they get more and more into regular season form, they should be able to convert more of these opportunities.

Kesgard: I have noticed three things that have impressed me: the depth of possession the Timbers have enjoyed, the positive work of fullbacks Michael Harrington and Jack Jewsbury and the debut of Gaston Fernandez. While Fernandez has been very good and the possession has been nice, I really have been impressed with how well Harrington and Jewsbury have played.

Curwen: The team's ability to focus and not panic after going a goal down. Fernandez's injury time goal against the Philadelphia Union is a great example of this.

2. What's the most negative trend you've seen?

Goldberg: The Timbers have had trouble scoring. Even though they've been able to take a lot of shots in both games, the Timbers have had difficulty capitalizing on their opportunities. They have missed some wide open shots and tried to take other shots when they didn't really have openings. Their attacking four appear to still be learning how to play effectively around each other as well. They will need to fix these problems quickly to start winning games.

Kesgard: I am concerned about the Timbers keeping center backs healthy because of their importance within the team’s system, but honestly, the team’s finishing has been really suspect. While the Timbers have been able to generate chances, they haven’t come close to converting goals with any consistency.

Curwen: I would have hoped to see the Timbers take control of the games earlier and be more aggressive in attack, especially as the matches were at home.

3. Which Timbers player has surprised you most?

Goldberg: Gaston Fernandez's ability to quickly adjust to MLS has been a pleasant surprise for the Timbers. Many foreign players take a while to adjust to MLS, so it's impressive that Fernandez has already shown he can be a goal scorer in this league in only two games. The Timbers need to still find the role that best suits Fernandez and play him there to give the Argentine forward the best opportunity to produce this season.

Kesgard: Fernandez has been everything as advertised, but what has impressed me the most about his play is that he’s essentially been playing three different positions on the field — target forward, attacking midfielder and wide midfielder — and really, he’s been a creative force. On the other side, I’ve been mystified by the play of Max Urruti — he’s got the speed to create trouble for oppositions and I think he’s an underrated passer, but he leaves his feet too much on contact and he seems too often to be a step out of sync with his teammates.

Curwen: For me, Gaston Fernandez has been the biggest surprise, although he's not alone in producing good performances. He's settled into the team quickly and his two goals must have been a great confidence booster.

4. What combination should Caleb Porter play at forward, and what's the best spot for Gaston Fernandez?

Goldberg: Steve Zakuani has been steadily improving each week, and that is a really good thing for the Timbers. Max Urruti hasn't been particularly effective at the No. 9 spot and the Timbers could benefit from starting Zakuani over Urruti. Zakuani is a natural winger, and his presence on the field will allow the Timbers to move Gaston Fernandez to the No. 9 spot, a position that Fernandez appears to be comfortable with and a spot where he has shown he can score from. The Timbers have played their best soccer in this formation and it would benefit them to give the formation a try from the start of a game.

Kesgard: I think Fernandez’s best role on the team is at forward, but give him the ability to move around and drop back as needed. With his speed and creativity, he’s difficult to defend as long as he’s able to move about freely. I think the best combination for the Timbers provided that everyone is fit would be to put Steve Zakuani and Darlington Nagbe in a three-forward combination with Fernandez and Diego Valeri, and with Diego Chara and Will Johnson backing them up at midfield.

Curwen: I'd play Gaston Fernandez in the middle in place of Urruti and bring Steve Zakuani in on the left as soon the coaching staff thinks he can manage 70 minutes playing time.

5. The Timbers are 0-0-2. Their first win in 2013 didn't come until their fifth match. Why are early-season victories so elusive for the Timbers?

Goldberg: The Timbers have often had an issue with starting games slowly, so it's not surprising that they have a track record of starting seasons slowly as well. The Timbers have a few new key pieces in their starting lineup this season and a few important players coming off injuries. The team seems to just be taking a little while to mesh and start playing to their potential. But the potential is definitely there, so there is no reason why the Timbers can't move past this slow start and be one of the most successful teams in MLS again this season.

Kesgard: Caleb Porter’s system requires precision and practice, and it’s difficult to get enough repetitions in game conditions during a preseason, even if it’s over an extended timeframe. I’d be more worried if the Timbers were struggling to find the right players to target passes to or the movement was inconsistent, but that clearly hasn’t been the case.

Curwen: Last year the Timbers had a new coach who brought in a lot of players and it took a few matches for the team to get comfortable playing together in his system. This year the system is in place with only a few key personnel having been changed. The team's success last year prompted the opposition's coaches to do research into how the Timbers are set up under Caleb Porter, and they've been successful in disrupting Portland's passing game. So far, it's paid off with both visitors taking away a point.